Oil & Fuel Diesel or Gas Engine

BobG116 · Feb 14, 2005

I'm seriously thinking about buying a new Kubota lawn and Garden tractor with the following attachments. 54" mower, 50" snowblower and grass catcher. I've never owned a diesel and my dilemma is-- purchase a G2160 diesel or a G2460 gas. I currently have a 917 Allis Chalmbers which I'm giving to my daughter. This is my first post so any help would be greatly appreciated. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

MarkLeininger · Feb 14, 2005

Everything on every lawn tractor I've ever owned fell apart long before the engine wore out, so I'm not sure the extra life expectancy of a diesel is worth the cost in a machine of that class. For what it's worth, I bought a good zero turn mower and a good Ariens snow thrower for probably less than what you'll pay for just the Kubota lawn tractor. The ZTR gives a much better cut than any lawn tractor I've ever owned, and mows in about half the time. The snow thrower is easier to store in the garage than a lawn tractor with a snow thrower on the front.

DmansPadge · Feb 15, 2005

I tend to agree with Mark, the previous poster, generally everything else will give out before the engine. Kubota builds nice equipment and maybe the deck, tranny, etc. will last as long as the engine? The diesel also costs more and will be heavier. (that may be a good or bad thing) I think the gas engine would serve you just fine. But if cost isn't of concern I would rather have a diesel.

BobG116 · Feb 16, 2005

Thanks Mark and Ron, I appreciate your input and was hoping to hear from more individuals concerning the G2160 and the G2460. Its my understanding that the G series is new for 2005. Being a new member here its good to read the professional input. I'm glad I joined. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

DmansPadge · Feb 17, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Thanks Mark and Ron, I appreciate your input and was hoping to hear from more individuals concerning the G2160 and the G2460. Its my understanding that the G series is new for 2005. Being a new member here its good to read the professional input. I'm glad I joined. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )</font>

No problem. Hang around and keep posting! We love new members here. Since those are new models and probably not even at the dealers yet you might not get a lot of responses just because nobody else knows about them yet either.

philc · Feb 17, 2005

Continuing maintenance is an issue if you are not going to do it yourself.

I don't even change oil myself and made the mistake of buying a small gas garden tractor from John Deere about 5 years ago. Problem was that the local JD dealer knew almost nothing about servicing gas engines and admitted it. Had I known that I would have gone for the diesel at the get go.

Freds · Feb 18, 2005

I have a G2160 that I got last year with a 60" deck and am VERY happy with it. This thing can mow through some grass /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif . The turning radius is very sharp, too. If it has any faults it's the seat wiggles because of the way it adjusts and it's had two recalls already. Not lacking in power, though.
I mainly went diesel because my other tractor is diesel and it just seemed to make more sense filling everything out of the same can. (I have since gotten a 150 gal fuel tank.)

I think you'll be very happy with it.